Not every high school student gets a chance to enjoy prom, until now. The Joy Prom was introduced by Sherry Peele, who has directed it for the past 2 years, so that even people with learning disabilities can have the prom experience.

    The Joy Prom is a full scale prom for special needs children and adults of all ages. This is a night for them to have the prom experience every high student should have.

    “It is a night for them to be with their friends and peers and have the same experiences as normal kids have,” said Katti Koehl, EC teacher here at Robinson.

    Daniel Gay had fun dancing with girls all night and walking down the red carpet.

    The girls can get glitter put in their hair and their makeup touched up while the boys can get shoe shines and boutonnieres. Then after a sit down dinner they get to go dance the night away.

    “They are treated like royalty that night, we make them the stars,” said Kelly Shultz, a volunteer at Joy Prom.

    This year’s theme was mardi gras. Volunteers helped with the decorations and kept the night going by escorting guests, serving food, and dancing with everyone.

    Not only did Robinson students volunteer, but they had help from the Hickory Ridge Key Club, Central Cabarrus JROTC and a few Cabarrus county churches. Volunteers act as paparazzi and take pictures of the guests as they get out of their limo and walk the red carpet.

    Next year’s Joy Prom will not be held at Jay M Robinson because the space is becoming too small for the amount of people attending. This year, around 400 guests attended and those in charge of Joy Prom hope to have more guests attend next year.

    Anyone who would like to volunteer at next year’s Joy Prom can get a volunteer form from one of the EC teachers.

    “Next year is going to be bigger and better, we will need as many volunteers as possible,” said Shultz.